A request will go to the Kosciusko County Council for $1 million for the county’s highway department.
Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden told the Kosciusko County Commissioners this morning that his department has $975,000 to do road work with this year.
Commissioner Ron Truex noted that in 2011, the department had $2.4 million with Economic Income Development Tax money and that just allowed for the roads to be properly maintained.
Truex said such a drop in funding would cause roads to be replaced, thus costing the county more money down the line.
The commissioners tabled a request by Tilden to an agreement with USI Consultants out of Indianapolis for $42,600.
The agreement is for construction inspection of three bridge projects slated for this year. The agreement is required by the state but must be funded locally.
“(The state) cuts our funding and makes us spend more,” said commissioner Brad Jackson.
Jackson also took issue with the high cost to sign USI for just inspecting bridges.
The three bridges to be replaced are bridge 616, which goes over Peterson ditch on Winona Beach Road; Winona 1 which is along Park Avenue over Weiland ditch in Winona Lake; and Winona 2 which is along Chestnut Avenue over Weiland ditch in Winona Lake.
Bids will be opened for bridge 616 April 10 at 9:15 a.m. during the county commissioners meeting. Bids openings for the other two bridges have not been set.
Bids will be opened for new highway dump trucks April 24 at 9:15 a.m.
Dave Doctor was re-appointed to the Lakeland Regional Sewer District at this morning’s meeting. It is a four-year term.
